Four things we learnt from Crystal Palace vs Nantes
After successive wins in the United States, Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace prepared for the opening day of their Premier League season by hosted hosting Ligue 1 side FC Nantes.
Les Canaris finished the 2023/24 season in 14th place, just four points above the relegation play-off place. Their lineup for the game at Selhurst Park sported well known names such as Moses Simon and former Huddersfield Town midfielder Sorba Thomas.
Palace’s international stars Daniel Muñoz, Jefferson Lerma, Ebere Eze and Marc Guéhi all returned to action following their international finals.
In classic fashion for a final pre-season game, there was little risk taken by players, with the majority of the outing spent with Palace in possession. However, against the run of play, Nantes took the lead in the 19th minute, with Jean-Charles Castelletto heading home from a corner.
A 61st minute strike from Daichi Kamada rounded off a well worked team move, and that was all the game had to offer in terms of goals, with a final score of 1-1. Despite a lack of action, Glasner was provided a final opportunity to assess his side ahead of their opening Premier League fixture away to Brentford on Sunday.
Palace’s hopes rest on Mateta’s shoulders
The Frenchman had an inspirational conclusion to last season, and carried his form into the Olympic games in Paris. Scoring five times in the six games, Mateta has now scored sixteen goals in his last sixteen competitive games.
Against Nantes, Odsonne Edouard failed to convert strong chances on numerous occasions, leaving fans frustrated. Had Mateta been in his place, the result could have swung in Palace’s favour. 
Credit: Getty Images
Although Edouard played a role in a large majority of the positive build up play, his first touch and composure inside the 18-yard box left a lot to be desired. The ball frequently stuck under his feet and his weak attempts at goal caused no problems for Alban Lafont.
Mateta is firmly poised to return to Glasner’s squad in time for Brentford - if he is able to continue the form shown both at the end of last season and the Olympics, Palace’s fortunes will be in safe hands.
Adam Wharton is only getting better
When Adam Wharton arrived in South London at the end of the January transfer window, some eyebrows were raised over the £22 million pound fee. However, the 20-year-old has proven his worth and more.
His stellar form in the second half of the Premier League campaign earned Wharton a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad. Whilst Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo was preferred by Gareth Southgate, Wharton has returned to Palace’s pre-season and seemingly maintained his fitness, playing a key role in the 3-1 victory over West Ham which culminated in a trophy lift for the Eagles.
Against Nantes, Wharton showcased the passing ability that he has become known for, playing first time passes through the lines which were let down by poor finishing. With Muñoz’s attacking qualities, and Tyrick Mitchell’s continued development in the final third, Wharton’s long passing will be crucial in Palace’s build up play.
His ability to see a pass before the ball reaches him will compliment Mateta’s movement and Palace fans can expect to see that combination linking up for goals next season.
Daniel Muñoz’s attacking output is dependent on the right centre-back
Debatably Crystal Palace’s signing of the season last year, fans became accustomed to seeing Muñoz maraud up the right wing, unburdened by stamina or defensive responsibilities. However, the importance of Nathaniel Clyne in that attacking freedom cannot be understated.
Clyne did not start the game against Nantes, and his absence in that right centre-back role was noticed as Muñoz had less freedom to get forward. Consequently, Glasner’s previous strategy of a right-sided overload was no longer part of Palace’s game plan. 
Credit: Getty Images
Clyne’s forward play allows Glasner to create overloads on the opposition’s left hand side. His recovery pace, which surprised a large proportion of the fanbase, meant that Muñoz could stay high in possession and have the freedom to link up with Eze and Olise.
Whilst Clyne will not be favoured to start games going into the new season, the role that the right centre-back plays in Glasner’s system will affect Muñoz’s ability to impact games in the final third.
Daichi Kamada is a perfect fit for the system
A player that Glasner has worked with before to great success, it is unsurprising to see Kamada fitting in so well. His movement and timing in the final third played a crucial role in his equaliser against Nantes, with Kamada finding himself unmarked inside six yards and finishing clinically.
His link-up play with Mateta and Eze could be a key feature in Palace’s season.
Although the overall makeup of Palace’s strongest eleven will develop more over the coming weeks, Kamada will likely play an important role going forward.
Completing pre-season as an unbeaten side means Palace have now gone over four months without a defeat - but their greatest tests are yet to come.
Henry Swain
JOURNALIST (ACADEMY)
A season ticket holder from the age of 5 to 18, Henry is as passionate a Palace fan as you’re likely to find. Enjoying the finer details of football, it’s the players that go under the radar that catch his attention. He watches every Palace game there is and has a keen passion for academy football. When he’s not watching or talking about football, Henry can be found binging a Netflix series or losing games on FIFA.
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